Oris was stunned by Chen Xu's exorbitant demand.
It wasn't that the Soul School couldn't afford an additional 50 legendary creature corpses. The difficulty lay in the 'non-repeating' clause, which made things troublesome.
The school's existing inventory was limited, and if they couldn't use duplicates, they would either have to trade with other schools or with the royal family. Both options would involve the school's external affairs.
Before coming to the City of Miracles, the dean had only granted Oris discretionary power within the school itself.
He had no authorization for external affairs, so Oris didn't dare to directly agree to Chen Xu's request as he had before.
"Respected Venerable, an additional 50 is no problem. However, if they must be non-repeating, I cannot make that decision. I may need to return and discuss it with our dean before I can give you a reply."
"Is that so? Well, I happen to have some free time. How about I accompany you there and negotiate directly with your dean? And while I'm at it, I can also inspect the Soul School firsthand to see if you have suitable terrain for building the 【Three-Phase Wraith Reincarnation Pool】."
Daxia was still actively preparing for the conquest of the ultra-tier dungeon, so it wouldn't be opening anytime soon.
As for Chen Xu's Ascension Plan for the Land of the Undead, it required the undead army to gradually expand. Although 10 million corpses a day wasn't slow, it would still take several months.
During this period, Chen Xu didn't need to conquer dungeons, so he was free to go wherever he pleased.
"Really? That would be wonderful!"
Oris was also delighted.
Archmage above, having an ordinary mage negotiate with a Mythic Venerable was no different from making a deal with Hell demons.
In those few minutes, Oris felt as if an entire year had passed.
But once they arrived at the school, a Mythic Venerable would surely be received by the dean himself, and Oris would be relieved of his burden.
Thus, Oris was overjoyed by Chen Xu's suggestion.
...
Akhan Dynasty, Soul School headquarters.
Dean Griffinlie of the Soul School was accompanying an important figure to inspect the school's recent academic research.
After the great disaster, the power of the Akhan royal family had been weakened. The Akhan Council, led by the Ten Schools and joined by other schools, had become the new highest decision-making body.
At this moment, a councilor was conducting a routine review at the Soul School.
The review's target was a large new project proposed by the Soul School—the Natural Wonder of the Land of the Undead, the 【Three-Phase Wraith Reincarnation Pool】.
The City of Miracles, as a unique city connecting countless worlds, offered various special materials essential for mage research.
However, lessons from the past must not be ignored. Akhan could not afford another Hell invasion.
Every mage purchasing items from the City of Miracles, if not on the approved list issued by the council, had to proactively report it and undergo a councilor's review. Only after passing the review could the items enter the Akhan world.
"Dean Griffinlie, does that Wraith Reincarnation Pool truly have as great a use as you claim?"
"Councilor Hack, it's the 【Three-Phase Wraith Reincarnation Pool】, and that company classifies it as a Natural Wonder.
If its function is truly as described in their promotion—that an ordinary living being, after transformation, can achieve a mythic qualitative change—then it absolutely qualifies as a miracle.
The profound truths contained within it could undoubtedly push Akhan's mental strength path to new heights!"
Griffinlie spoke with fervent passion.
But Councilor Hack across from him wasn't swayed by this. He had seen such scenes many times.
To get approval, these school deans would go to any lengths, speaking falsehoods as naturally as breathing. Honesty? Conscience? That was honesty to their school, conscience for their school!
Even the Soul School, one of the Ten, was no exception. Hack knew the ins and outs of it all.
Generally, such reviews were merely formalities, recorded in the council's ledger, and then done.
But what the Soul School intended to purchase this time seemed highly unreliable.
"What I'm worried about is precisely the function of this Reincarnation Pool. If its function is truly as described, who would sell such a good technology? Who would build something like that in someone else's world?
Take our large-scale ritual arrays, for example; these are core technologies of a civilization. Would they just be put up for sale like this?
This isn't a one-time weapon; it's a continuously usable structure. Dean Griffinlie, don't you find it even a little bit suspicious?"
"Hehe."
Griffinlie chuckled, a hint of awkwardness on his face.
"It is indeed a little suspicious, but pursuing truth is never without danger. As long as it remains within controllable limits, isn't that fine?"
Suddenly, the earring on Griffinlie's left ear lit up.
"Councilor Hack, I need to take a call. Please wait a moment."
Hack nodded, turning to look at the Natural Wonder brochure in his hand.
"Oh! Really? That's excellent, Oris! Immediately invite that Venerable to the academy. Remember to use the highest-grade teleportation array; the school will cover the cost."
After ending the call, Griffinlie looked at Hack.
"Councilor Hack, I believe your concerns can now be put to rest."
"Hmm?"
Griffinlie gestured towards the brochure in Hack's hand.
"The owner of this company is a Mythic Venerable, and what's more, he once studied at the Balance School."
"Hmph, that only makes me more worried."
Hack retorted coldly.
Griffinlie was puzzled. Why would one of their own be worried? Wasn't Hack himself from the Balance School?
"Councilor Hack, if I'm not mistaken, you yourself are from the Balance School, aren't you?"
"That's right, precisely because I am from the Balance School, I am more worried. Dean Griffinlie, you must know that foreign students coming to Akhan to study only stay for a few decades, right?"
"Uh, yes."
"A few decades, and a Mythic Venerable? Do you find that reasonable?"
Prompted by Hack, Griffinlie also realized the implication.
Hack continued, "Since he dares to come, we shall meet him. Those Daxia people from Blue Star who come to study often say, 'Let's see what he's truly planning.'"
Soon after, the teleportation array in front of the Soul School's main gate lit up.
After the light subsided, Chen Xu and Oris emerged.
"Respected Venerable, this is the Soul School headquarters. Please, come inside."
Oris stepped forward, leading the way for Chen Xu.
Chen Xu looked around, observing briefly. He caught a faint, strange aura in the air.
"Corruption?" Chen Xu murmured to himself.
But unable to identify the source of the aura, he followed Oris into the headquarters.
"It's you?"
Hack looked at Chen Xu, his mouth agape in shock.
"Oh? Professor Hack, what are you doing here? Aren't you going to discuss research with Professor Cyntia today?"
Chen Xu saw him and was surprised to meet an acquaintance here.
Hack, a professor at the Balance School, primarily taught subjects related to water and fire elemental balance. Of course, he was also one of Professor Cyntia's many admirers.
When Chen Xu studied at the Balance School, if he went to Professor Cyntia for guidance, nine out of ten times he would see other professors there, and Hack accounted for at least half of those nine times.
"Cough, cough, what are you... what nonsense are you spouting? I've always said that my visits to Cyntia were purely for academic research, a pursuit of truth."
Chen Xu waved his hand, giving a 'do you really expect me to believe that' look.
If Hack hadn't defended himself so much, he might have been a bit more convincing, but Chen Xu's single casual remark had Hack almost boiling over. If there wasn't something going on, then a Kunpeng could get into the academy and become a researcher.
"Wait a minute." Hack had just recovered from his embarrassment when he noticed another blind spot. "When you were at the Balance School, I remember you only had immense mental strength, and even the most basic control techniques were clumsy.
How long has it been, and you're already a Mythic?"
"Haha, Professor Hack, you're simply unaccustomed to it. We Blue Star people are blessed with exceptional talent; heroes are as numerous as carp crossing a river. I'm merely one of the slightly more dazzling ones.
Speaking of which, Professor Hack, long time no see. Why aren't you pursuing the truth of magic anymore, and instead embracing the degeneracy of corruption?"
With that, Chen Xu's smile vanished, and he stared coldly at Hack.
At the same time, he released Flideng from the Land of the Undead, concealing him high in the sky to scout for possible ambushes.
"Who? Me?"
Hack pointed a finger at himself, asking in bewilderment.
Rate on N.U.
